JANUARY 2026

NeighborHealth: The Virtual Peer Support Network's Pioneering Community Health Center

In spring 2025, the Betsy Lehman Center’s peer support team began partnering with NeighborHealth, a federally qualified community health center with multiple sites around greater Boston. NeighborHealth is now co-branding the Virtual Peer Support Network to provide an extra resource of support for staff. This marks the first community health center in Massachusetts to join the Network.

Read the full story

Featured peer support literature

Multispecialty physician online survey reveals that burnout related to adverse event involvement may be mitigated by peer support

Gupta K, Rivadeneira NA, Lisker S, Chahal K, Gross N, Sarkar U.

Researchers found, across specialties, involvement in an adverse event was common. Those reporting that the error resulted in emotional impact were more likely to experience burnout, but this association was mitigated by peer support.

Peer support programs for physicians and health care providers: A scoping review

Russell B, Ahmadzadeh A, Haris K, et al.

This scoping review was conducted to identify the critical components of one-on-one peer support programs for physicians and other health care providers. A total of 1,028 citations were identified, and 25 were included in the final analysis.

See all literature

In case you missed it...

In October, Dr. Michael Gustafson presented “Unlocking the Power of Compassion to Transform Organizations” at our fall learning collaborative event.

Watch the recording and access the slides

Linda Kenney, Director of Peer Support Programs at the Betsy Lehman Center, shared her story and how it led to the creation of the Patient and Family Peer Support Network in a sponsored post for the Boston Globe. If you are interested in co-branding this Network for patients and families in your organization, please reach out to Peer.Support@BetsyLehmanCenterMA.gov.

Read the Globe article

Upcoming events

Feb 11

12 - 1 p.m.

Be the change: Progressive strategies to combat workplace violence in health care • A virtual learning collaborative with Tyler Michaud, Workplace Violence Prevention Program Manager at Lowell General Hospital. Register here

The peer support team is holding trainings for those interested in becoming volunteers. Please fill out an interest form for more information.

Multiple dates

Virtual Peer Support Network training • Health care professionals interested in volunteering can fill out the interest form here

Patient and Family Peer Support Network training • People with lived experience who would like to help patients or their loved ones when something goes wrong in their care can fill out the interest form here

The Betsy Lehman Center is a non-regulatory state agency that supports providers, patients, and policymakers working together to advance the safety and quality of health care. We provide free, confidential peer support services to patients and health care professionals across Massachusetts.

BetsyLehmanCenterMA.gov